1842 Bar and Restaurant

Preston’s most unique restaurant and bar, 1842 Bar and Restaurant stands proudly within the former Corn Exchange, blending history, prestige and contemporary luxury in every corner. 

From the moment guests step inside, they are immersed in the rousing sounds of live music every Saturday and surrounded by the delectable flavours and scents of internationally inspired dishes and drinks.  It’s the kind of place where the unexpected becomes the standard, and where visitors quickly find themselves planning their return.

The small plate menu is designed to set tastebuds alight.  Featuring globally inspired dishes, it caters effortlessly to everyone from devoted meat-eaters to vegans.  Whether guests are dropping in for a spontaneous boozy brunch, gathering for a family meal or hosting a staff party, the relaxed yet refined dining space offers the perfect backdrop.  Beautifully designed and paired with some of Preston’s most exquisite cocktails and regular live entertainment, 1842 delivers an experience unlike any other in the city.  Cocktail lovers are in for a treat, with ingenious and intriguing creations, crafted to excite and inspire in equal measure.  Alongside the vibrant cocktail menu sits a hand-selected range of wines, Champagnes, fizz, and draughts, with seasonal specials frequently adding something new to discover.

As the sun sets, the atmosphere shifts seamlessly from dining destination to late-night hotspot.  Live music takes centre stage every Friday and Saturday, while the resident DJ curates a soundtrack of soul, R'n'B, house and contemporary classics, carrying guests through to the early hours.  Whether enjoying drinks by the fire, sharing platters in a cosy booth, or celebrating in the bar, visitors can expect 1842 to over-deliver every time.  

Set on the site of the former foyer of Preston Public Hall, the building carries a rich cultural legacy, having once welcomed icons, such as The Beatles and Led Zeppelin before its partial demolition in 1986.  Long before its days as the Public Hall, this site was Preston’s bustling Corn Exchange marketplace.  The year 1842, proudly honoured in the venue’s name, marks the historic Plug Plot Riots, when local workers stood defiantly against unfair wage reductions.  Today, that spirit of resilience lives on, commemorated by the Preston Martyrs statue standing just outside, a lasting reminder of the city’s proud and passionate heritage.